Breville Nespresso Inissia espresso maker review

Each day starts with a double espresso for me and while I used to use a fancy, expensive machine, I’ve gotten to realize the efficiency of coffee pods. Now I’m a Nespresso convert. I wanted to try one of Nespresso’s newer machines that is extremely popular. So in this review of the Breville Nespresso Inissia, I’ll show you how it works, what the coffee is like, as well as the pros and one big con you’ll want to be aware of after having it in my home for two weeks.

Breville Nespresso Inissia review

Some out there may be wondering, is a Nespresso Innisia espresso machine worth it? I was not into Nespresso at first, but a couple things changed my mind: after staying with friends who both have Nespresso machines I discovered I like the coffee and it’s a very quick and easy way to get espresso.

I chose the Breville Nespresso Inissia espresso maker because it’s relatively small while still being kind of stylish. It measures about 5 inches wide by about 12 inches long, and 9 inches tall, and it offers two sizes of coffee with two preset buttons. I don’t add milk to my coffee so all I wanted was something for straight-up espressos.

Watch my video review of Nespresso Inissia

Set up: Breville Nespresso Inissia

Let’s start Nespresso Innisia review with its setup. There’s really no set up required for this machine. Just plug it in and push one of the buttons to power it on. It’s ready to go immediately. The kit I bought also included a sample pack of Nespresso capsules, which was a nice way to try some different coffees.

When it comes to the power, Nespresso machine inissia gives you 19 bars of pressure from its pump and has a 27 ounce water tank. It’s super small and weighs almost nothing (about 5 pounds).

The first time I ran the machine Nespresso recommends you run a cycle of water through it first before you brew coffee. Almost immediately the water tank leaked water all over the counter. Thinking I had just set it up incorrectly I took it apart and put it back together again, but same problem. For some reason the machine was oddly leaky. Now, once I got the brewing process underway and started using it regularly the leaks seem to have abated. But it doesn’t give me a whole lot of confidence to see that in the beginning so it’s something I will have to keep an eye on. I later went to the Nespresso website and saw that many customers are complaining that this device is leaky, so, be warned.

Breville Nespresso Inissia: Adjustable drink sizes

Though I didn’t realize it at the time, and the instructions don’t say so, you can actually program the exact size of drinks you want your Breville Nespresso Inissia espresso maker to make, for both the small size and the large.

It comes out of the box programmed for a small double shot from the small button, and what seems like a quad for the large.

By pushing and holding the button while it;’s making an espresso, then letting go when you’ve got your desired amount, you are creating a new saved setting. Next time you just touch the button your custom drink volume has been saved. I set mine so that the small button pours a single and the large an oversized double. If you want a little more detail on how to do this or to share these instructions with someone else, check out my video how to adjust Nespresso drink sizes easily.

Nespresso coffee & pods

We could spend some time here on the environmental impact of coffee pods. For the most part, neither aluminum Nespresso pods, nor plastic Keurig K-cups are recyclable in a lot of city’s recycling programs; they’re just too small. But I am really happy to say Nespresso inissia espresso machine encourages you to recycle the aluminum pods by including a pre-paid return bag with your order.

When it comes to the coffees and their taste, there’s lots to enjoy. I find the coffees, packaged in their little pods to be really fresh tasting, and with the stunning number of different roasts, tastes, flavours and options, you’re bound to find lots you’ll like.

Nespresso Pod cost

Let’s talk about what it costs to brew your morning espresso. Nespresso pods can be had on the Nespresso website for about 80 cents to $1.25 per pod. Compared to the cost of a coffee shop espresso, that’s a bargain. I have also, by the way seen reusable Nespresso capsules so you can use your own coffee too. Either way, I’m perfectly happy paying about a buck for my morning espresso.

Coffee brew quality: Breville Nespresso Inissia

Brewing a coffee is as simple as turning it on and waiting for it to heat up, which takes less than 20 seconds- about 10 seconds faster than my Delonghi. I’m impressed with how fast this is. Then you pop in a capsule, pull down the arm to lock the machine, and choose your size. My drink brewed in about 10 seconds.

One thing I like about the Nespresso machine Inissia and really all Nespresso machines is that the espresso comes out nice and thick, it’s not watery. It ends up with a nice crema on top, and it’s actually really hot, definitely hot enough for me. You can argue that crema has nothing to do with quality… But it is a nice touch that makes the espresso look appealing.

No adjustable temperature

This machine, like other Nespresso machines, doesn’t have an adjustable brewing temperature (it comes from the factory set to about 83-86 degrees, says Nespresso). Nespresso intends this to be at a hot but drinkable temperature so you can sip the espresso right away, and says if it’s not hot enough, to pre-heat your cup.

Some folks might not appreciate that you can’t adjust the water temperature, but I was definitely fine with the factory setting.

The Breville Nespresso Inissia has some handy features; the energy saver feature shuts it off in a few minutes if it’s not used again, the water tank holds more than enough water for 13 doubles before it needs to be refilled.

There’s a flip-out cup riser which actually works well for smaller espresso cups, but it’s extremely poorly designed for larger cups, with the rim of the cup being really close to the spout. Because the cup riser only flips up and it’s not removable, it actually gets in the way of getting a larger coffee mug into the proper position. I think this is a very poor design and hopefully will be reworked in future configurations.

There’s a small pod bin that holds about 10 discarded pods. All the pieces can go in the dishwasher.

Breville Nespresso Inissia; not as quiet as other machines

The Delonghi Nespresso machine I currently have is a pretty quiet brewer, but this Breville Nespresso Inisia does make a noticeable and fairly loud buzzing noise. The noise stays on through the entire brewing cycle and is rather annoying. In comparison to my DeLonghi Essenza mini, it sounds like a freight train rolling through the kitchen. While I am exaggerating, it is a significant flaw in this machine as far as I am concerned.

Ending the Breville Nespresso Inissia Review

Overall this machine is a stylish and capable Nespresso machine that does the job admirably.

It’s small but it isn’t the smallest espresso brewer Nespresso makes. Here the bigger footprint allows for additional pods in the disposal bin and a bit more water in the tank.

This model has an industrial chic look that gives it a little more style than some other Nespresso machines. The coffee it makes is delicious, hot, thick, and with a beautiful crema, and I like that I can customize the sizes so it’s perfect for my morning routine. The water tank is plenty big enough so that I don’t feel like I’m refilling it constantly. For those who want a bigger water tank, there are larger machines out there, and they come with more features and a higher price too.

If there are any cons to this machine, for some it might be that you can’t adjust the water temperature, but for me this was not an issue. My biggest gripe was the loud and buzzing noise during the breathing process. If you also think that something that would annoy you, I can absolutely recommend my Nespresso Essenza mini as a quieter alternative.

The other potential downsides to this machine include the inept cup riser, and the potential for leaks.

While I had a fine experience with it, you’ll want to weigh these cons carefully. The Breville Nespresso Inissia sells for about $209 CAD though I have seen it on sale for about $139 CAD.

You can watch my full review of the Essenza mini which is my #1 pick for a great all-around Nespresso machine, or check out what a more full-featured Nespresso machine has to offer right now.

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